By Isaac Hamlet, Gracey Murphy, and Quentin Yarolem
[email protected],[email protected]@uiowa.edu
Music
With the recent appearance of the Blake Shelton-led Back Porch Revival concert, the 2016-17 school year is shaping up to be one of the most musically active in recent history.
The fall semester will feature Iowa City traditions, such as the free Homecoming Concert on the Pentacrest featuring Simple Plan and Wavves, and the second Witching Hour Festival, set to showcase NE-HI, Jlin, and Pussy Riot. Crucially, however, the Russian punk outfit will be, instead of performing, taking part in a conversation with music critic Jessica Hopper.
The popular Atlanta-born rapper Waka Flocka Flame will play on Oct. 10 at the Blue Moose, 211 Iowa Ave. The concert falls in line with the Blue Moose’s tradition of bringing high-profile hip-hop acts to Iowa City. The veteran country artist Pat Green is will play at the First Avenue Club on Friday. Green has been in the music industry for more than 20 years, and he is best known for his song “I Like Texas,” the Texas Rangers’ victory song.
Also coming to the Blue Moose is the hit pop-rock band Summer Set. The band will come through Iowa City on Oct. 26, and it appeaers to be one of the most commercially popular bands to play in town.
With the plethora of talent pouring through Iowa City this year, it’s bound to be a great time. The diverse music ranges from the Southern hip-hop that Waka Flocka Flame brings to the feminist/political punk rock that Pussy Riot brings, and it is one of the many reasons that Iowa City remains a Midwestern culture hub.
Theater
Theater allows actors, playwrights, directors, and many others to share their personal stories. Whether it be in the script or the lights, each individual contributes art to share with the audience.
In Iowa City, theater is particularly prominent. Groups such as Iowa City Community Theater, City Circle Acting Company, UI Theater Department, Young Footliters, and Dreamwell Theater put on a plethora of shows. Another well-known theater in Iowa City is the Englert, where various comedy, music, and theater shows take place.
However, this year, the renowned Hancher Auditorium will reopen, with a grand season planned. Much like the Englert, Hancher hosts all forms of art on its stage.
To start off a new season, Community Theater will showcase You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown the second and third weekends of September. This popular show is one to look for, and kids can come out for the fun, too.
Another interesting show from the UI Theater Department is Hip Hop Julius Caesar, performed and directed by the Q Brothers, a Chicago-based group known for transforming classic texts into rapped verses. The show will open Sept. 29 and will have many showings through Oct. 15.
One more classic to watch for is The Sound of Music. Hancher will host the show from Jan. 31-Feb. 5. This reputable musical is one not to be missed. Another bonus: Hancher offers student discounts.
These are only a few of the great works in Iowa City this year. The excitement has only just begun, and there are plenty of shows to look forward to.
Literature
Iowa City has long been known as a City of Literature. Providing a space for the art of writing and its accredited creations — as such, dozens of events are scheduled each semester for those who find themselves with the literary itch.
This semester, especially, is one that should pique the interest of book buffs, because the UI is celebrating Shakespeare and his work on the 400th anniversary of his death.
In addition to the presence of the Bard’s folio, on display now at the Main Library Gallery, events of interest include screenings of film adaptations, talks and lessons from professors, and various performances running through December, all in tribute of the seminal English writer.
The influx of Shakespeare-theme events doesn’t mean those with literary inclinations can’t get their contemporary fix, though.
Prairie Lights has a multitude of events scheduled. Today, for example, at 7 p.m., The Iowa Review celebrates the release of its most recent issue. Hosted by editor Harry Stecopoulos, the event will include readings from Iowa City-based writers featured in the collection.
The independent bookstore will also host graduates from the Writers’ Workshop over the course of the semester, including Whitney Terrell,who will be welcomed back to read from his novel The Good Lieutenant on Sept. 8.
Sean Lewis — an Iowa City playwright — will also talk about his graphic novel Saints: The Book of Blaise, illustrated by Ben Mackey, on Sept. 19.
The university’s famous Dey House, the home of the Writers’ Workshop, will also host its fair share of readings.
NoViolet Bulawayo will speak on Sept. 15 about her début novel, We Need New Names. A week later she’ll be followed up by Joan Silber.
Then, on Oct. 20, the Pulitzer-Prize winning Rita Dove — a graduate of the Workshop and former U.S. Poet Laureate — will appear to speak on her work.
As the year descends into its wintery death throes, Dey House attendees will be able to count on the Nov. 10 appearance of poet D.A. Powell to keep their minds and the conversation lively.
And all of this is to say nothing of the Iowa City Book Festival. Running Oct. 4-9, the festival pulls together authors from around the country for book talks, vendors, author panels, and other events.
Better make room on your bookshelf.